The Delhi Commission for Women reviews the cases if & when required to guide the functioning of CIC at periodic intervals. A copy of First Investigation Report (FIR) in each case is sent to the Chief Coordinator and CAW Cell by the SHO of the same district for the follow up the Chief Coordinator ties up with the DCW for providing other needs.

As well as the quarterly meeting are to be held by Delhi Commission for Women to review the situation of "Safety of Women in Delhi and various other aspects for women safety". Helps in providing financial assistance to the needy victims through Trusts and charitable organizations. The Delhi Commission for Women is also being helped by the Central Social Welfare Board (CSWB) in giving grants to NGOS for their social worker. The details of the review meetings as under: -

November 25, 2003 :-

A meeting was held at the Delhi Commission for Women on 18.11.2002 at 2:30 P.M. to assess the functioning of CICs in all the districts of Delhi and the cooperation given by the identified NGOs. Ms. Yasmin Khan, Member of the Commission is also Project Incharge of CIC chaired the meeting.

Representative of Nari Raksha Samiti informed that since 2001 they have received all minor rape cases. Police is providing full cooperation to them but no help is extended from Delhi Commission for Women. Hospitals are not allowing the NGO to meet the victims. Their NGO need financial help as most of the rape victims are from poor families. They are running mobile medical dispensaries. It was suggested that DCW can pressurize the Delhi Government to come up with new schemes to support the rape victims financially. Ms. Yasmin Khan, Member (DCW) pointed out that DCW has no provision to provide any financial help to the NGOs for CICs. Financial help can be given through trusts and charitable institutions on the intervention of the Commission.

Centre for Social Research informed that their NGO has been holding regular meetings with doctors who have come forward for helping these victims. Prayatn informed that NGOs does not an equal distribution of police stations in each of its districts. It was decided that Central Social Welfare Board (CSWB) to sanction grants under CIC schemes. The NGO faced problem of identification in the court as for instance the Magistrate did not recognize the NGO stating that no letter regarding recognition has been received by the Court. The Virender Gupta Charitable Trust complained of non-assistance by the police in dealing with the cases.

'Snehi' also raised the instances of rape of a male child and requested that the government agencies dealing with the assistance to rape victims should also be made aware about providing assistance to male rape victims.

Ms. Yasmin Khan informed that the concerned agencies have already been written about providing assistance to rape victims and the NGOs running CICs should directly contact these agencies. Issue of identity card was also discussed by the NGOs who were asked to issue I-cards to their staff.

The meeting ended with the vote of thanks and it was decided that in the next meeting of CICs the Police Department would also be invited.

November 25, 2003 :-

A meeting held on 25.11.2003 at 3:00 P.M. under the Chairmanship of Member-Secretary, DCW to review the functioning of CICs with the NGOs.

At the outset of the meeting chairman welcomed the participants and emphasized that the meeting had been convened to review functioning of CICs and to ensure greater coordination between various interest groups. Representative of Angaja Foundation pointed out that they primarily follow up cases which are reported in the press and as such they are not associated with any particular CIC. He stated in that the response from the staff of Hindu Rao Hospital is usually not very positive. The rape cases are required to be treated in the Government hospitals only and as such they are not attended to by private medical practitioners being medico legal cases. Representative of Nari Raksha Samiti also pointed out that they have to wait for long at odd hours. The attitude of the paramedical staff is rather indifferent. But medical examination and reports were prepared timely either on the same day or at the most the next day.

Centre for Social Research pointed out that they deal with the victims on a long term basis and maintain continuous liaison to give them counseling. They primarily deal with the case in South-West District as part of CIC. They have psychologists, doctors, public prosecutors, investigation officers who voluntarily help the victims. They further stated that they hold fortnightly meetings with ACP and bi-monthly meetings at the level of DCP. They also mentioned that at times, such cases are dealt as regular cases in courts and date of hearings varies from 4 to 7 months. The officials from Department of Social Welfare apprised the NGOs that HRD Ministry has launched scheme of "Swadhar" which is essentially to rehabilitate such victims. Some grant is also available for NGOs through Central Social Welfare Board (CSWB) and Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) can play more pro-active role to coordinate with such agencies. Member of DCW stated that quarterly report should be sent to the Commission. A copy of the performa of report from NGOs in regard to CICs for rape victims may also be examined for suggesting appropriate changes in the format. Chairman of DCW suggested that NGOs should consider formulating schemes for social and economic rehabilitation of the victims and assistance for purchase of medicine and expnediture incurred on hiring ambulances could be examined for funding through the CSWB or DSW or DCW. At the end of the meeting Chairman solicited suggestions from NGOs for compilations of general directives to ensure greater security of women in the city as Commission would shortly publicize such directives in details.

December 16, 2003 :-

A meeting of CICs was held on 16.12.2003 at 3:30 P.M. in the Conference Room of the Commission under the Chairmanship of Sh. C. Targay, Member-Secretary, DCW.

Chairman initiated the discussion referring to the previous meeting attended by some NGOs only. He again stressed upon the need to review the existing mechanism and invited suggestions to ensure timely and pro-active response from CICs through coordinated approach by NGOs, DCW, Police department, etc. He also informed that the issue of rehabilitation was discussed at a meeting of National Commission for Women on 16.12.2003 where stress was laid upon regular programme for rehabilitation with adequate provision for financial assistance which is a limiting factor at present. A fresh plan schemes need to be formulated which would then be placed before the new Commission and subsequently for Government approval.

Some of the NGOs pointed towards difference in approach while dealing with rape victims as hospitals often insist on police complaint first whereas police seeks immediate medical examination before lodging FIR. The NGOs urged for clarity in procedural aspect to avoid delays. Chairperson, Nari Raksha Samiti opined that FIR should be registered first and subsequently medical examination of the victims be carried out. She further pointed out that often doctors handling the rape cases are not acquainted with forensic techniques and essential training for collection of forensic evidence be imparted to them. Medicines are sometimes not available in the hospitals and expenditure on conveyance, medical assistance, refreshments to family members, counselling, etc. have to be borne, more often than not, by NGOs. Fund constraints was one of the collective grievances of all the NGOs present.

Ms. Rony James from Angaja Foundation stated that financial support is not given to the NGOs. The NGOs need money to provide medical help, legal assistance and for rehabilitation of the victims. Similar views were expressed by Prayas. They too emphasized that Delhi Commission for Women should fund the programmes relating to rehabilitation of the victims in Shelter Homes, etc. as funding from CSWB was restricted to a few NGOs only. It was also suggested that more hospitals be notified for MLC as victims are traumatized and need immediate medical assistance. It should also be ensured that proper space for examination is provided for.

Awareness campaigns should be held frequently with active involvement of DCW and the NGOs for wider impact as efforts of NGOs are by and large concentrated in their respective areas only. Member-Secretary suggested that Legal Cell of DCW will compile necessary legal instructions/requirements in this regard and would then be circulated city wide. NGO can help in effective implementation. He also urged NGOs to report cases of any delinquent officials to DCW which could follow up such cases to its logical conclusion and will ensure greater sensitivity while handling such cases. Member-Secretary further stated that Department of Social Welfare will be approached for formulating specific income generation schemes and training programme for the rehabilitation of the rape victims and general schemes for grant-in-aid.

Concluding the discussion, the Chairman once again solicited suggestions/messages from NGOs which could then be circulated in the press/media to ensure security environment for women. The NGOs were requested to send in their views/comments before 24th December and also by E-mail.

Ms. P. M. Singh, Member-Secretary introduced Prof. Kiran Walia new Chairperson and all other Members as well as the officials present. The Chairperson started the meeting by talking about the recent rape case which had taken place at Safdarjung Hospital and mentioned procedural lapses in the case which had come to her notice. Prof. Kiran Walia, Chairperson requested the DCsP concerned that the report should be sent to the Commission at the earliest providing full information of the case and the action taken by the police. The Member-Secretary pointed out that even a monthly report of rape cases are not being sent to the Commission as has been laid down in the Standing Order of the CICs. She mentioned that the DCW, Police Department and the NGOs are to function in an integrated way in order to provide support to the rape victim as well as medical and counseling support.

Chairperson mentioned that often procedural lapses occurred as had been pointed out by the NCW in their report on the rape case in Safdarjung Hospital. It was suggested that a performa could be prepared by the Commission through which the police could sent details regarding any rape case being investigated. It was also mentioned that the Sub-Inspectors, Police Inspectors and ACsP need to be sensitized while dealing with such cases for often there is a delay in registering the FIR and in carrying out the medical tests, etc. The victim needs to be treated in a humanitarian way and the medical should be got at the earliest to save the victim further trauma.It was also mentioned that the performa which the doctors have to fill up in case of minor rape case is too lengthy and many tests are missed out. This requires to be made simpler.

It was also suggested that the filling of the Performa should be made compulsory by the doctors so that all the initial evidence may be kept intact and no one could tamper with the case later on. Member-Secretary mentioned that the NGOs should take an active participation in order to get medical tests done early. It was mentioned that a revolving fund may be evolved so that expenditure incurred by some NGOs towards taking the victim hospital, etc. is required.

Prof. Kiran Walia said that our aim is the same so we should work in coordination with each other and try to help each other and help the victims to get justice on time. Chairperson thanked the police personnel's and the NGOs who came and attend the meeting. It was decided that another meeting would be held after three months to review the work.